AJC > Sports > Falcons > Training Camp Blog > Archives > 2006 > August > 03
Thursday, August 3, 2006
Clocking out
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Final notations as today’s morning practice session draws to a close:
Rookie cornerback Jimmy Williams must have an oil tanker’s worth of confidence in his natural ability. Where’s his intensity during scrimmages? He’s prone to lull around in the defensive backfield, fondling his hand towel, until the instant the ball is snapped. Nothing wrong with being low-key. And without doubt he’s flashed considerable talent. But something about him hints of distraction. He’s the anti-D. Hall; a team firebrand who was quick to question referees’ calls on receptions in his vicinity, and who drew a chorus of sideline heckling when Jamin Elliott appeared to beat him deep for a TD. The refs ruled that Elliott had landed out of bounds.
The Falcons shouldn’t call off their search for a reliable placekicker just yet. While Mike Koenen and new acquisition Carlos Martinez both proved today that they’ve got the leg to kick 50 yard field goals, neither was able to do it consistently.
If he proves to be durable, rookie running back Jerious Norwood could be one of the shrewder draft picks. As he grows more familiar with the offense, Norwood gets speedier by the day.
D.J. Shockley needs to bounce back after a less-than-stellar showing this morning. Only Matt Schaub and Bryan Randall took snaps during the final rounds of clock drills. And Randall missed only one of his six “hurry up” passes.
Reversal of fortunes
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Speedy defensive back DeAngelo Hall is spreading the wealth of his talents this morning. No sooner had this blogger posted the first entry of the day and returned to the practice field then Hall had switched into his normal defensive team jersey and begun locking down receivers in drills.
Another cornerback, Jason Webster, is far from as visible. Webster’s returned after missing several days of work with a strained foot. Apparently coaches won’t be rushing him back into the starting rotation: the highly drafted rookie, Jimmy Williams, is running with the first team and the quarterbacks aren’t often throwing in his direction.
Coaches are taking long hard looks at who’ll be the main backup to “the” backup at QB. While Matt Schaub _ the designated starter until Mike Vick returns from his hamstring injury _ was lobbing passes to the running backs on one side of the field, D.J. Shockley and Bryan Randall were working the longer routes with receivers.
Things looked good for Shockley until he had to start throwing against defenders. Randall got to run the second team offense. Shockley, working with the third string, went 1 for 4 passing with one throw batted down at the line and another intercepted by Brunswick native Bill Alford.
Man of mystery
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Exactly how much star cornerback DeAngelo Hall will figure into the Falcons’ offense remains to be seen. But an indicative sign came this morning, when Hall emerged from the locker room wearing one of the offense’s designated jerseys and doing no work at all with the defense so far.
Throughout ongoing catching drills, Hall looks extremely sure-handed and at ease with the transition. It’ll be interesting to see how he looks running through plays.
For the first time during training camp, NFL referees are present to officiate over scrimmages. Before practice even started, special teams coach Joe DeCamillis had corraled the refs for a lengthy, body-language debate over what constituted a clipping penalty during kick returns.
Michael Vick, to this point, is not on the field.
